Kiln Blog

About one and half years ago I got fed up with the bad performance and poor customer service from our website provider. I just let it lapse. I have a masters degree in computer science so it was always in the back of mind that I should just set up the site on a home computer and serve it myself. (Don't tell my isp, they don't allow servers, but they charge me enough so I don't care.)

The site provides information on our soap and pottery products. While I constructed my kiln, I wrote blog posts detailing what I learned. I believe that it was/is a good resource for those willing to not waste money on a commercial kiln for home/personal use. I will always remain an advocate of building your own eletrical kiln, unless you're part of an institution, due to liability.

Anyways, the site is back up, and the kiln blog is here.

First 2010 Markets

We have finally had our first markets of 2010. This year we have decided to return to Ambleside. Last year we only did Burnaby, this year we will be alternating Burnaby and Lonsdale on Saturdays, and Sundays in Ambleside. You can find our schedule here.

Here's a nice picture of a small porcelain bowl on display. I have purchased a new digital slr, so toyed with a wide aperture on this picture. Hopefully with the new camera I'll start to post more.

Iona's plates

This is a pretty cool story. Last December, at one of the Christmas craft fairs that we did, a former customer, Iona, found us. It was three years prior that she found us by the chance the first time, and really liked a style of bowl that I made. I have stopped making that style, because it uses a stain which contains a highly toxic component, and I count vouch for it's safety on pots (I only used it on the outside of any). I only had a couple of these bowls left, and she really wanted a set, so I made a set for her.

At the time she thought it might be nice to have a set of matching plates to use under the bowls. She said she'd get back to me, if she decided she wanted them. Well, she lost our contact information, and I never heard from her again. Untill this year. Remarkably, they keep all their cancelled cheques, and by looking at the name they made the cheque out to, and phoning the Christmas craft fairs, she tracked us down.

So, finally, I have gotten around to throwing these plates. I'll bet she's wondering if I have forgotten. I can't remember if she needs six or eight, but I should be able to find a decent set either way from these twelve. There are only two here that I'm not happy with. They turned out pretty well for not having thrown sets of plates in a long time.

Chip'n'dip for James and Jordanna - done ... and Vince's teapot

These were actually finished quite awhile ago. I just haven't gotten around to posting the final pictures. Now I have to make some plates for Iona, that's another story.

The assembled teapot

On the weekend I was invited to my old employers Christmas party. As is the tradition, we had a stealing santa gift exchange. Each round, one person has the choice to open a gift, or steal from a previously opened gift with the caveat that you can not steal a gift that has been stolen that round.

As soon as the t-shirt at right was opened by someone, I knew what I wanted to end up with. So, when it was my turn to go I immediately stole the t-shirt. But, unfortunately, I wasn't the only one coveting this fine garment. The current CEO (they switch every few months) stole it from me. So, my response was to steal the highest value gift ... which given this crowd equates to the one with the most alcohol. A bottle of Crown Royal.

Very oddly though, no one wanted the whiskey. I was shocked and confused. No one stole it until the very last round. Theft was rampant in the last round. My friend Vincent, who went picked in the first round and wisely picked what looked like a wine bottle but was duped when it was actually a game of Jenga (he was pissed, since no one would steal Jenga) decided that what he really wanted was a teapot. So, when someone finally stole the Jenga he asked if I had a teapot. "Of course I have a teapot, would you like some whiskey (wink)." Heh, heh, the t-shirt was mine.

But unfortunately, a little bird told me that he broke it taking it to work on Monday. So, in the freezing cold, after riding my bike home in the snow, I went to the studio and threw the parts for a teapot.

Chip'n'dip for James and Jordanna - trimmed.

Here's the chip'n'dip after trimming the two pots and attaching them. The dip bowl was trimmed to a round bottom, moistened and then formed/altered to sit nicely against the wall of the platter.

I think they look quite nice together. I'll be able to bisque it this weekend.